“That’s not true.”
When he stared at her like that, she could almost believe he felt the same way. Was it possible? She forced herself to maintain eye contact though her courage was faltering and her stomach was twisted in knots. “Liam... I came here not only to apologize again but to tell you”—she swallowed hard—“to tell you I love you. I know you can’t possibly—”
Then his lips were on hers. His hands lifted to frame her face. His fingers plowed into her hair. The kiss was soft and commanding. Seeking, searching. Giving, receiving. A little desperate. A lot breathtaking.
Chloe wrapped her arms around him and sank into his embrace, the assurance of his affection warming her through. That he would welcome her after the way she’d treated him humbled her. She would never hurt him again. Would rather have every gossip site publicly humiliate her than cause him a single ounce of pain.
When he drew away, he gazed into her eyes, connected to her as if by an invisible thread. It took several seconds before Chloe heard the applause swelling around them.
His eyes smiled. “We seem to be in the spotlight again.”
Her attention dropped to the circle of light on the carpet around their feet. “Um, literally.”
He chuckled. She loved the way his eyes smiled too. The way he gazed at her as if she were the only woman in the room.
Then his expression turned serious. “I’m afraid in my world it goes with the territory.”
“I understand that.”
“Do you? Because there’ll be a lot more of this. Plus a lot of gossip and misreported events and outright lies, printed for the whole world to see. We have to trust each other.”
“I’ll trust you to be truthful with me. And I promise to be the same with you.”
“I like the sound of that.” His eyes lowered to her lips. She’d missed that sleepy-eyed look. “Let’s get out of here.”
Who was she to argue?
He pressed a quick kiss to her mouth, then he took her hand and guided her to the elevator. Spencer stood off to the side in the shadows.Thank you, she mouthed. She caught a glimpse of his smile before the elevator swept open, allowing Liam and her to enter. The closing doors ushered in silence.
Liam swept her up in his arms and flashed her a grin. “Alone at last.”
Epilogue
The following June
“You’re staring,” Chloe said.
“I can’t help it.”
The limo that swept Liam and her through LA sported plush leather seats, mood lighting, a flat-screen TV, and a full bar. She still wasn’t quite used to the extravagance that came with Liam’s life.
“That dress.” Liam’s low, throaty voice said it all. “Those shoes.”
For a moment she forgot her pinched toes and the shaper that had her wedged into the red gown. The hungry look in his eyes was worth the momentary discomfort.
“You’re quite a vision yourself.” She laced her fingers through his. Over the past year she’d seen him in jeans and trunks and suits, but the man did know how to fill out a tux.
“Is my tie straight?”
“It’s perfect. How’s your mom doing? I forgot to ask.” While Chloe had been preparing for tonight, Liam spent time with his mom. She was nine months sober and had recently purchased a condo in nearby Pasadena.
“She got a promotion at work. She’s pretty happy about that.”
Chloe smiled. “That’s great. I think the move was good for her.”
“Between that and the therapy, she’s well on her way to reclaiming her life—and finally being over my dad.”
“I’m glad the two of you have gotten closer these past few months. Family is important.”
